Will Song Kang-ho, Song Joong-ki, and Jennie Attend the Cannes Film Festival?

BLACKPINK member Jennie (27, real name Kim Jennie) may walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the first time in her life.

On the afternoon of the 13th (Korean time), the Secretariat of the 76th Cannes Film Festival announced that HBO's The Idol has been invited to the non-competitive section. Included in this section among Korean films is director Kim Ji-woon’s Geomi Jip (Spiderweb), alongside titles such as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon.

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The Idol is Jennie’s acting debut and has attracted attention domestically as well. Set against the backdrop of the Los Angeles (LA) music scene, the work depicts the music and love story of a popular female singer. It was produced by Canadian pop star The Weeknd and directed by Sam Levinson of HBO’s Euphoria.

Hollywood actress Lily-Rose Depp, daughter of Johnny Depp, stars in the lead role, with Troy Sivan and Dan Levy also appearing, drawing interest. Attention is focused on whether Jennie will walk the Cannes Film Festival red carpet alongside them this year.

On the same day, agency YG Entertainment told Asia Economy, "Jennie has been invited to the Cannes Film Festival," adding, "Her attendance has not yet been decided."

Typically, films invited to the Cannes Film Festival’s non-competitive section have official screenings at the Lumi?re Theater in the southern French city of Cannes. Directors and lead actors attend the screening, enter through the red carpet laid out on the theater steps, and watch the film with the audience in the seats, which is the tradition.

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Last year, actor Lee Jung-jae drew global attention from film professionals by walking the red carpet with his directorial debut Hunt, which was invited to the Midnight Screening section of the 75th Cannes Film Festival.

The The Idol team is expected to emerge as a surprise star at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. All eyes are on whether Jennie will start her acting career in a dazzling way at Cannes.

American media outlet Deadline predicted, "Although BLACKPINK member Jennie has not confirmed her attendance at the Cannes Film Festival, she will act as a factor attracting Generation Z."

Meanwhile, at this year’s 76th Cannes Film Festival, Geomi Jip (Spiderweb), starring Song Kang-ho and directed by Kim Ji-woon, was invited to the non-competitive section, and Hwalan, starring Song Joong-ki and directed by Kim Chang-hoon, was invited to the Un Certain Regard section. Announcements for Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week are also forthcoming.

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